(L-R) Tim Duncan, Allen Iverson and Richard Jefferson react at the conclusion of their team's 77-71 win over Greece in the Athens 2004 Olympic Games August 17, 2004. (Reuters)

Allen Iverson scored 17 points despite a broken thumb on his shooting hand as the United States rebounded from a shock opening game loss to beat Greece 77-71 at the men's Olympic basketball tournament on Tuesday.

Humbled by a 92-73 loss to Puerto Rico on Sunday, the US team tried to pass more and play the team game coach Larry Brown said was lacking.

The Americans continued to shoot poorly from the outside but Iverson put them ahead at the half 37-31 with several key plays and 13 points.

Battling a hostile crowd that booed the US players every time they touched the ball and shook the rafters with each Greek score, the Americans tried to push the ball inside to Tim Duncan, who had only one point in the first half.

But several turnovers cost the Americans and the lead quickly evaporated in the first minute of the second half. Duncan then went on a rampage, scoring 13 points in six minutes to restore the lead for good.

But he also picked up a couple of quick fouls and was forced to sit, allowing Greece to pull back to within one point with six minutes to play.

The Greeks could not find the mark when they needed to most, though, missing several open shots near the end and the US closed out the game.
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(Agencies)

humble : to curtail or destroy the pride of; humiliate（貶抑，使慚愧）

hostile: of, relating to, or characteristic of an enemy（敵對的）

evaporate: to disappear; vanish（使蒸發, 消失）

rampage: a course of violent, frenzied action or behavior（暴跳, 發怒）